2016-02-29



Welcome to our guide to over 80 free software options that will help you create your dream home one room at a time!

Whether you’re looking to do a remodeling project or want to build a prefabricated home, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect software option for you!

This guide includes a few paid options, but each software or tool listed here is free to begin with or has a free option. Each has its pros and cons, so be sure to try out a different one if the one you choose isn’t exactly what you’re looking for!

Make sure to also check out tutorials on the websites, which can help you learn how to better use the tools.

In addition to free software, this guide will outline options for finding a local contractor to help you get started on your projects, how to find the best DIY tutorials if you plan on doing the work yourself, and of course, get you started with some amazing design tips to help you stage your new space.

We hope this comprehensive guide will help you design and implement your dream home, or even just help you make your current home work better for your family!

Home Design Software

Cute Kid's Room with Bright ColorsStately Double Staircase in FoyerContemporary Dining Room



See more of this home here. Designed by DOS Architects.



See more of this home here. Designed by Garrison Hullinger Interior Design.

Home Stratosphere’s Interior Design Software – (best on desktop and tablet) – check out our 3D room and home design software here.

DreamPlan Home Design Software – DreamPlan is a free home design program created serve a variety of purposes. You can track your personal finances, edit home movies, and much more. However, it’s most useful for creating incredible models of your dream home. This software is perfect for planning remodels, additions, and redesigns. You can:

Switch between 3D, 2D and blueprint view modes

Create floor plans

Design landscaping and gardens

Build terrain of outdoor areas

Download additional content for living spaces

Plan interior and room designs

System Requirements:

Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 or Mac Intel OS X 10.4.4 or above

OpenGL driver version 2.0 or above

64 MB video card with Pixel Shader 2.0 support

Android version runs on 2.3.3 or higher

Planner 5d – With Planner 5d, you can create and design home projects of various types and difficulty levels. Design houses, flats, offices, cafes, bars, or your dream house. Embedding options make this software a great choice for interior design bloggers, home plans sites, or others in the industry.

2D or 3D modes

Use online or download apps for iOS, Android, or OS X

Get inspiration from the ideas library or other users’s home design templates

Publish on social networks or on the Planner 5d interior design gallery.

Room Styler – Upload your own floor plan or work with pre-loaded floor plans to insert walls, doors, or windows. There’s no need to sign up with this software. Use it anonymously and upload your creations to your Facebook.

Simple interface

View blueprints and 3D images at the same time

Test out new paint colors digitally

Insert purchasable products into the model, from kitchen appliances to garden tools

Purchase products through the software

Available on web browsers or a free app

Autodesk HomeStyler – The creator of AutoCAD, REVIT, and 3ds Studio Max is well-known for creating professional design programs, and this program is ideal for designing homes, offices, and apartment spaces.

Simple drag-and-drop interface

Usable by amateurs; no prior training or knowledge required

Doors and Windows available in a variety of choices

Homestyler PRO version available for purchase

Furnish and Decorate tool allows you to choose cabinetry, appliances, furniture, and decor items

Catalog of items available for purchase from manufacturers

HomeByMe – this downloadable free room-planning tool allows you to build your room from the ground up in 2D, and finish out the design with furniture and accessories. After finishing, convert the design into 3D to see your creation.

Design in 2D, view in 3D

Create detailed floor plans

Browse and test furniture from top designers and manufacturers

Thousands of decorative elements

Access to a large community with thousands of floor plans and interior design ideas

Home Design Software – Create fun and easy designs using realistic 3D models for room planning or interior design.

Create realistic views with materials, textures, color.

Choose day or night view, framing, doll house, or glass house views

Quickly place and arrange walls, windows, doors

Easily create multiple types of staircases and ramps

Create skylights, domes, and other specialized architectural features

Thousands of room combination options for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and more

Cost estimating and materials lists

Room Sketcher – This easy to use floor plan and home design tool has tons of great features that will help you choose and view furniture, negotiate with a contractor, or provide floor plans and 3D visualizations to clients.

Drag-and-drop user interface

Change wall and furniture layouts, along with windows, doors, and ceilings.

Live 3D feature allows you to fly over or walk through your design

Thousands of brand-name and generic products to choose from

Upgrade to a subscription to customize furnishings

Work in 2D, view in Live 3D

Roomle – This free online program allows you to sketch and furnish rooms. It requires no external software, and you don’t have to download it. You will need to register, which will allow you to draw up and save as many plans as you want.

Upload a sketch to get a suggested floor plan

Web-based

Share your plans and receive feedback on your designs

Simple and easy-to-use interface

Kitchen Design Software

Contemporary White KitchenKitchen with Pendant LightingContemporary Kitchen with Industrial TouchesModern Dark Wood Kitchen

Source: Zillow Digs™

Source: Zillow Digs™

Source: Zillow Digs™

Transitional Kitchen by Memphis Interior Designers & Decorators DesignArt Memphis by Leslie Cetingok

Kitchen Design and Layout

Check out more great free online design tools for kitchens!

IKEA Kitchen Planner – Quickly mock up a room with the drag-and-drop interface of this software. The best part is, all IKEA products are uploaded with exact measurements. Print out a list to take with you to the store. Perfect for people who plan on furnishing with IKEA products. However, the controls can be difficult to use.

Exact measurements for IKEA products

Print-out shopping list

Create quick mock-ups

Magnet – This software utilizes the latest in digital design technology to help you create detailed 3D designs or estimate costs. If you find you are having problems designing, Magnet also has the option to have experts take care of the planning.

Detailed 3D designs

Cost estimator

Lowe’s Virtual Kitchen Designer – Lowe’s kitchen design software makes it easy to visualize and plan your kitchen layout.

Quickly select layouts and styles

Wide selection of colors and design features

Home Hardware Kitchen Design – A simple design software for kitchens that allows you to design in 3D. A simple software without a ton of features.

Choose your cabinetry, flooring, countertops, paint, and accessories

3D interactive planning tools

Mitre 10 2D Kitchen Planner – The Mitre kitchen design software provides a fun and easy-to-use interactive experience for room planning and accessorizing.

Electronic product catalog

High quality 2D and 3D rendering

Linked to shopping cart

KNKBA Virtual Planning Tool – Create the kitchen, bathroom or laundry room of your dreams with this simple tool.

Narrowed focus

Simple controls

Easy Planner 3D – This simple design tool allows you to build the kitchen of your dreams quickly and easily.

Available for both Windows and Mac OS

Supported on most browsers and mobile devices

Design in both metric and imperial

No need for Java or Flash

3Dream – Quickly and easily design and re-design your kitchen in 2D, then view in full 3D. Share easily with friends.

Design in 2D, view in 3D

Over 40,000 3D models, textures, and materials to design with

Kitchen Backsplash Design Software

Home Stratosphere’s backsplash design software – compare many backsplash designs against many countertops, and cabinets.

Backsplash.com Designer – A simple browser-based way to pair kitchen cabinets with countertops and backsplashes to find the perfect combination!

Hundreds of style, color, and pattern combinations

Test out your design style before you buy

Plan with actual products you can purchase later

Incredibly simple and fun

Kitchen Countertop Design Software

The Visualizer by Caesarstone – This browser-based software allows you to select a kitchen image and substitute different types of countertop materials to see how they would look. While the Visualizer is easy to use, it has limited use for seeing how your preferred countertops would look in your actual kitchen.

Easy to use

No downloading

Lots of options to choose from, including edges

Wilsonart – The simple visualizer allows you to pick an image and change different elements in it, including cabinets, countertops, and wall color. You can select from the products the manufacturer carries. The visualizer is a browser-based application. Unfortunately, it’s not very user friendly.

High-quality images

Customize more than just countertops

No downloading

Living Room Design Software

Living Room With Large Windows and Exposed BeamsLiving Room with Stone Fireplace and Built-InsModern-Contemporary Living Room with Spiral Staircase

Transitional Living Room by Wayzata Interior Designers & Decorators DESIGNS! – Susan Hoffman Interior Designs

Source: Zillow Digs™

See the complete home portfolio at Bespoke Home Staging & Interiors.

IKEA Living Room Planner – Just like in the kitchen, you can plan your entire living room with IKEA products, then print out your shopping list and head over to the store!

Exact measurements for IKEA products

Print-out shopping list

Create quick mock-ups

Pottery Barn Room Planner – Create a custom room plan that includes architectural features like windows and doors.

Choose specific pieces from a collection to arrange in the room

Drag-and-drop interface

Sample plans for design inspiration

Order free fabric swatches to help you decide on upholstery options

Room Arranger – A 3D room and apartment floor planner that allows you to draw basically anything you can imagine.

Simple user interface

VRML standard for 3D

Runs on iPad, Mac, and PCs with Linux and Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10.

Required to register after 30 days

iPad app is free to install but the save projects function must be purchased.

Sync projects with your PC via Dropbox

Home Office Design Software

Office with L-shaped Desk AreaMassive Library and Home OfficeStately Contemporary Office

Transitional Home Office by Larkspur Architects & Building Designers Polsky Perlstein Architects

Traditional Home Office by Santa Barbara Architects & Building Designers Peter Becker Architect

Source: Zillow Digs™

IKEA Office Planner – Just like in the kitchen and living room, you can plan your entire home office with IKEA products, then print out your shopping list and head over to the store!

Exact measurements for IKEA products

Print-out shopping list

Create quick mock-ups

Bathroom Design Software

Spacious Bathroom with White TileBeautiful Marble BathroomGray and Brown Bathroom with Glittering Tile

Farmhouse Bathroom by Stowe Architects & Building Designers Cushman Design Group

Transitional Bathroom by Cincinnati Home Builders Arthur Rutenberg Homes – Cincinnati, OH

Source: Zillow Digs™

IKEA Bathroom Planner – Plan your entire bathroom with IKEA products, then print out your shopping list and head over to the store!

Exact measurements for IKEA products

Print-out shopping list

Create quick mock-ups

Easy Track – Simply enter your closet’s dimensions into the browser-based software to get a recommended closet organization system for a walk-in or reach-in closet.

Simple to use

Few customization options

Gives pre-made layouts, not customized

Closet Design Software

Long Walk-In Closet with Lots of Open ShelvingCustom Closet with Shelf LightingMinimalist Walk-in Closet

Traditional Closet by New York Architects & Building Designers Brian O’Keefe Architect, P.C.

Contemporary Closet by Berkeley Closet Designers and Professional Organizers California Closets HQ

Easy Closets – This is a simple browser-based tool that will allow you to change your layout, enter measurements, and customize your closet organizer down to the hardware on your drawers.

Browser-based

Simple to use

More customization options

Closets to Go! – This browser-based software has many more customization options and a handy guide to help you use them, but can be intimidating as it doesn’t start you off anywhere.

Fully customizable

No downloads

Cost estimator

Closet Maid – Allows you to choose different kinds of storage spaces, including for utility rooms or garages. Simply select your room, room type, enter your dimensions, choose materials, and see your custom closet organizer!

Simple to use

Lots of options for customization

Choose from garages, closets, family room, laundry room, offices, and pantries

Paint Software

Home Stratosphere’s Virtual room Painting Software – Upload your own photos or use provided photos to test different paint color schemes.

Color Jive – This software allows you to paint your room virtually, which is more effective than just holding a swatch up to the wall. Upload a picture of your room, and apply colors from the available palettes, which include the official palettes of Benjamin Moore and Sherman Williams.

Multiple color palettes from popular brands

User friendly

Free accounts limit you to 3 colors per picture, one picture upload, and three versions of the picture.

Premium accounts are $15 per year and allow you 10 photos, 7 versions of each, and 5 colors per picture

Sherwin-Williams Color Snap Visualizer – This browser-based software allows you to upload your own images and access the full Sherwin-Williams catalog of colors to find your perfect match. The software auto-suggests coordinating colors to make your life easier.

Full color palette from Sherwin-Williams

Completely free

Registration not required

Benjamin Moore Personal Color Viewer – Like the Sherwin-Williams viewer, the Benjamin Moore viewer allows you to choose from a selection of images or upload your own to test colors on.

Full color palette from Benjamin Moore

Registration not required

User Friendly

Lighting Design Software

MEGAMAN – This software is basically a calculation tool to assist you in designing lighting in both indoor and outdoor areas.

Electronic catalog with data sheets

Product searches and specifications management

Photometric databases

Acuity Brands – This is a simpler variety of tools that provide answers to common lighting scenarios. Each tool has a tutorial associated to help you learn how to use the software.

30 day free trial

Web-based

Video tutorials

Fireplace Design Software

Imposing Stone FireplaceContemporary Gas FireplaceUltra Modern Fireplace

Regency Fireplace – This simple browser-based system has a very limited set of designs and styles, but will work well for you to get a good idea of what style you want in your living room.

Choose from gas, wood-burning, or pellet

Choose your unit type, insert, fireplace, or wood-stove

After selecting options, upload an image of your mantle and superimpose your design over it

Chesney’s – This software has both registered and unregistered user options. It is more specialized than Regency, and allows you to enter your exact measurements.

Free registration allows you to upload your own images

Save multiple designs

Enter exact measurements

Window & Door Design Software

Pella – Choose your favorite style of window, then choose customization options to build your ideal window.

Visualizer is not particularly helpful aside from viewing the style itself

Browser-based

Lots of different feature options for each window

Window World Visualizer – Use existing images or upload your own to see how different types of windows will look from the outside of your home!

Use your own images

Lots of different customization options

Simple tutorial for new users

Window Design Tool –  A simple tool to help you visualize different common window types in an existing image or on an uploaded image of your own home.

Choose from styles with lots of customization options

Controls are not intuitive for users

Floor Design Software

Great Floors – A web-based application that allows you to choose which room you’re designing. You may also upload your own image to help you visualize the change. However, you are required to register before use.

Upload your own images

No existing images available

National Wood Flooring Association – View different types of hardwood flooring in a variety of room settings. Experiment with wall colors, wood types, and even choose the direction of the floor boards.

Hardwood flooring only

Change the wall color

Wide variety of wood types and colors

Quick Step – A virtual room designer tool that allows you to compare laminate wood and laminate tile flooring and how either will look in your home. This application is slow-loading and some of the options appear not to load at all.

Limited to laminate wood and laminate tile flooring

Slow loading

Lots of different color and style choices

Staircase Design Software

Contemporary Enclosed Staircase Wooden Double StaircaseModern Contemporary Spiral Staircase

See more of this home here. Designed by Hacin + Associates.

Stair Planner – Discover what’s possible and find out exactly what you need to make your staircase design become a reality.

View by price range, style, or infill material

No visualization assistance

Free instant quote on your customized staircase design

Stair Box – Get an instant quote after using this stair calculation application. This application is UK based and is great for domestic UK customers.

Customization options and questions help you determine your current staircase

Requires prior knowledge and measurements

Instant quote after using the calculator

Furniture Search Tools

Find Your Furniture – Search a catalog of furniture by style and type of furniture you’re looking for.

Simple to use

Wide variety of styles and furniture types

Point and click interface

Exterior Design Software

Eldorado Stone Outdoor Design Tool – This incredible tool will allow you to design realistically what will fit in your space and knows exactly which features aren’t compatible with one another.

Video tutorial

Preloaded with two signature designs

View your design from different angles

Save multiple designs

Share your designs with friends

Create a PDF with 3D views and a product list

Connect with local dealers by requesting a quote

DesignScape Visualizer – This free tool is perfect for homeowners, contractors, and design professionals and allows you to design, layout, and visualize a project using Cambridge Pavingstone products and solutions.

Upload your own photos

Save, print, or email your designs

Wide variety of products in the catalog

CertainTeed Color View Tools – a set of tools that allow you to browse a library of stock homes, explore color combinations, and create custom exteriors.

Access to Color View’s library of stock homes

Access to Color View DIY, where you can mask your own home into the viewer to try residential building products and colors

Access to Color View Pro, where you can pay a small fee to have your home masked into the viewer to try the products and colors

Garden Design Software

Vegetable GardenBeautiful Japanese Garden

Traditional Landscape by Trumbull Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Rock Spring Design Group LLC (David Verespy, ASLA)

Garden Planner – With this program you can arrange plants, trees, buildings, and objects using a drag-and-drop interface. There are tools to create paving, paths, and fences.

Print out your design in high-quality color

15 day free trial

Full version purchasable for $34

Available for Mac and Windows

Plan-a-Garden – Create garden design plans; anything from patio container gardens to an entire yard. More than 150 trees, shrubs, and flowers to choose from!

Add dozens of structures like buildings, sheds, fences, and decks

Over 150 trees, shrubs, and flowers available

Even add water features like ponds

Registering required for use

Deck Design Software

Simple Wooden Deck with LightingRounded Wooden Deck

Beach Style Deck by Melbourne Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures Acorn Garden Houses

Source: Zillow Digs™

Deck Designer – An interactive deck designing tool that allows you to choose shape, size, and number of levels to your deck in addition to other options.

Choose size, shape, number of levels

Wide selection of textures and colrors

Requires registration

System Requirements

Windows operating system

Java 1.5 or higher

Adobe Reader 5.0 or higher

Minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768

Two-button mouse with scroll wheel

Fiberon Deck Design – This feature-rich program allows you to do anything and everything you might want to plan your deck. You can even easily get a quote from a contractor or find out where to buy Fiberon materials.

Select size, shape, and deck details

Choose custom Fiberon composite deck designs in multiple colors

Outfit with lighting, accessories, fireplaces, or outdoor kitchens

Upload a photo of your home

Big Hammer – A simple deck design software that allows you to choose deck platforms, pool and hot tub decks, and has lots of different customization options including wood types, vinyl, and composite materials.

70+ sample decks

3D viewer

Print a custom shopping list and plans

Requires Internet Explorer

Home Stratospheres free deck designs (PDF’s) – Several free deck designs and blueprints (PDFs available).

Shed Design Software

Shed with Red DoorsVinyl Shed

Traditional Shed by Gap Design-Build Firms Sheds Unlimited INC

Shed Designer – A simple program that allows you to create a custom shed design. Adjust dimensions and add flashing or a concrete slab. This program requires registration or membership.

3D rendering

Checklist

Tips for success

Materials and cut list

Studio Shed – This tool allows you to get an estimate by entering your email address and zip code. These are required to use the tool.

Choose from standard layouts, sizes, and siding

Features colors, accessories, foundations

Get quotes on additional services

Gazebo Plans

Lakeside GazeboStone and Iron Round Gazebo

Traditional Patio

Source: Zillow Digs™

How To Specialist – Get step by step instructions on how to plan and design a gazebo. You may also use the plans to build your own gazebo and save a lot of money. Great for experienced DIYers.

Not a lot of variety in plans

Somewhat difficult for inexperienced DIYers

No options for professional installation or purchasing kits

Gazebo Design Software

Vision Scape – This great software is not just for gazebos. Use it for all your landscaping and outdoor design needs. The software is fast and easy, and there is no 3D modeling or CAD experience necessary.

Clickable interface with a quick learning curve

Stunning visual realism

Design with real products

Access to a design community

Free professionally designed templates

Pergola Plans

Today’s Plans – This website is a great place to locate plans if you’re looking for something simple and standard. Otherwise, it’s a great place to get started looking for ideas, as it has a decent variety of plans and styles.

Free construction plans, both online and downloadable

Includes gazebos, arbors, trellises, and pergolas

Pergola Design Software

Vision Scape – This great software is not just for pergolas. Use it for all your landscaping and outdoor design needs. The software is fast and easy, and there is no 3D modeling or CAD experience necessary.

Clickable interface with a quick learning curve

Stunning visual realism

Design with real products

Access to a design community

Free professionally designed templates

Pool Design Software

Incredible Pool ComplexPool with Hot Tub and Waterfall

Mediterranean Pool by Willoughby Architects & Building Designers Joseph Myers, Architect, Inc.

See more of this home here. Designed by Jaime Bush & Co.

Vision Scape – This great software is not just for gazebos or pergolas. It’s also great for designing a custom pool! Use it for all your landscaping and outdoor design needs. The software is fast and easy, and there is no 3D modeling or CAD experience necessary.

Clickable interface with a quick learning curve

Stunning visual realism

Design with real products

Access to a design community

Free professionally designed templates

Pool Doctor – The simple web-based interface allows you to design in ground and above ground pools. You can also design safety fences, lighting, walkways, and landscaping.

Choose from popular shapes and styles

Choose features like cleaning, lighting, and recreation items

Lots of yard features

Options for spas and furniture

My Dream Pool – This incredibly simple browser-based tool allows you to pick virtually every option you could possibly dream up for a pool, including water features, pool controls, safety features, and spas.

Select based on budget, property size, and terrain type

Choose from concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl pools

In-ground pools only

Fence Design Software

Wooden Fence with Horizontal SlatsBamboo Privacy Fence

Source: Zillow Digs™

Source: Zillow Digs™

Big Hammer – A simple design software that allows you to choose fencing as well as decks, and has lots of different customization options including wood types, vinyl, and composite materials.

70+ sample plans

3D viewer

Print a custom shopping list and plans

Requires Internet Explorer

Garage Design Software

Exterior of a Home with a Two Stall GarageInside of a Well-Organized Garage

Traditional Garage by Boston Architects & Building Designers Siemasko + Verbridge

Source: Zillow Digs™

Big Hammer – A simple design software that allows you to design organization for a garage and has lots of different customization options.

Click and drag method of drawing

Multiple construction methods and building preferences

Detailed printouts for building permits

3D visualization

American Garage Builders – Great for deciding how large your garage needs to be, but lacking in features.

Click and drag interface

2D grid designer

Add features like cars, lawnmowers, motorcycles, bikes, benches, and doors

Smart Draw – This software requires no CAD experience and features hundreds of templates and objects to design with. However, it is only free to use for the trial period.

Use in browser or download and install

Share drawings online, export to PDF, or transfer to Microsoft Office

Thousands of objects and symbols

Hundreds of building design templates

Brick Patio Design Software

Belden – A simple downloadable program that is only available for Windows. Preview different colors and patterns available from this retailer.

Download and install only

Windows only

Use for garden paths, patio areas, and even indoor areas.

DIY Tutorial Software and Tools

Renovate Your World – This great tool will help you learn how to install insulation, drywall, paint, put up ceramic and ceiling tiles, and even construct a simple deck.

Measure your space

Enter measurements into the tool

Print out a report that quotes time, material, and cost for your project

Sweet Home 3D – This free interior design application will help you stage and design your rooms with ease.

View in 3D

Add furniture

Download and install the application

Available for Windows, Mac OS X 10.4, Linux, and Solaris

Instructables – This site is loaded with all kinds of DIY project instructions. Try browsing it for ideas or search directly for tutorials on the projects you’d like to tackle.

HomeClick – Like Instructables, HomeClick features all kinds of DIY instructions which include gardening, plumbing, and much more.

eHow – This is another tutorial site that may offer different tutorials than the others. It’s a good idea to check out all of them to find the tutorial that will work best for your budget and skill level.

HGTV Tutorials – HGTV tutorials tend to be more video-based than other sites, so it’s a great idea to check out their videos in addition to written instructions!

Prefab Home Design Software

Champion Homes DiVE IN – This free software allows you to design a mobile or manufactured home. Explore floor plans and other features without dealing with technical drawings, which can be difficult t

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